Join our mailing list for the latest news

Hot off the Press

Philadelphia PA -- Jam-All Productions, led by renowned jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, presents the fifth annual Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival. Organized by Jam-All and curated by Tacuma, this year's 5-event festival continues its mission of showcasing diverse styles of risk-taking, progressive music and groundbreaking artists in April for Philadelphia’s Jazz Appreciation Month. This year's festival theme is "invasion of the outsiders," celebrating the contributions of mavericks, interlopers, refugees, and strangers to the culture of music.

The festival continues on Wednesday April 17th at the Clef Club of Jazz, 738 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, with a 6pm screening of Ornette: Made in America, a film by Shirley Clark with a Panel Discussion featuring Denardo Coleman and members of Ornettes Prime Time Band who appear in the film. Admission is free and to reserve tickets contact The Clef Club phone: (215) 893-9912.

On Sunday April 21st the Outsiders Festival moves over to Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Bass), Will Calhoun (Drummer of Living Colour fame), and Marc Ribot (Guitar) will play a set at 8pm. Admission is $20 at the door and $16 advance and tickets are available at www.milkboyphilly.com Milkboy phone: (215) 925-6455.

I am thrilled to officially announce the release of legendary grandfathers of Hiphop THE LAST POETS @TheLastpoetsNYC new album Transcending Toxic Time's on Ropeadope Records the first track was premiered by Rolling Stone Magazine today. Feeling grateful and inspired every time I hear their words. Many thanks to The Last Poets Abidoun Oyewole, Umar Bin Hassan and Baba Donn Babatunde for entrusting me with this great honor, this was truly a labor of love for all involved on every level, I called out the troops and they all came through above and beyond my expectations. You can be among the first to hear it.

The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) is pleased to announce Jeff Duperon as the 2018 recipient of the Philly Celebrates Jazz Award as part of Philly Celebrates Jazz.

The Philly Celebrates Jazz Award is presented each year during Jazz Appreciation Month to a local Philadelphian for their advocacy and contribution to the jazz genre and community. The award will be presented to Jeff Duperon by Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer on Sunday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ibrahim Theater, International House Philadelphia during the grand finale of the Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival, presented by Jamaaladeen Tacuma, the 2018 Benny Golson Awardee.

“Jeff Duperon is known as a treasured influencer and champion of the Philadelphia jazz community. He has dedicated his career of over 15 years to jazz through his work with public radio and community programs,” said Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer. “Duperon’s knowledge and support of the local jazz community is invaluable and more than deserving of this recognition.”

Jeff Duperon promotes the history of jazz and current jazz artists through WRTI 90.1 radio and educates the next generation through his jazz studies program for children. He also serves as the Board President of Jazz Bridge, an organization that continues to serve jazz musicians in times of need while raising awareness of the local jazz sound. This year’s Philly Celebrates Jazz has bookend awards, with the presentation of the Benny Golson Award to Jamaaladeen Tacuma during the kickoff on March 29 and the additional presentation of the Philly Celebrates Jazz Award on Sunday, April 29. Acclaim will be given to both awardees when Duperon is honored at 2:00 p.m. to kick off the grand finale of the fourth annual Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival, curated by Tacuma..Event is from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and admission is $25.

The 2018 Outsiders fest begins on April 6 at Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St, 19107, with a performance by Free Form Funky Freqs: a trio of Jamaaladeen Tacuma, bass; G. Calvin Weston, drums; and Vernon Reid, guitar. Opening band is Sirius JuJu . Music starts at 8pm, admission is $20 at the door, $16 advance tickets are available online through milkboyphilly.com.

On April 15 at South Kitchen & Jazz Bar, 600 N Broad St 19130, the fest continues with the premiere of Jupiter 4, a new quartet led by bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma and featuring Nels Cline, guitar; Chad Taylor, drums; and ,Alfredo Colón sax and electronics. There will be two sets at 7pm and 9pm, admission is $25 and tickets are available online through southrestaurant.net or by phone at (215) 600-0220.

The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival concludes with a grand finale on April 29 at the Ibrahim Theater, International House, 3701 Chestnut St, 19104. The afternoon concert is headlined by Ornette Coleman’s Primetime Band under the direction of Denardo Coleman, featuring saxophonist Odean Pope; funk/blues guitarist and singer James Blood Ulmer; and the quartet Secret Mall led by sexist Alfredo Colón . Music starts at 2pm. Admission is $25 and tickets are available through eventbrite.com. Delicious Soulfood Cuisine by Abu Juiceman.

Tacuma (born 1956, Hempstead NY), is celebrated in internationally for his creatively free and funky approach to the electric bass. At the age of 19 his innovative style caught Ornette Coleman's ear, and he became the first bassist in Coleman's electric band, Prime Time, touring and recording with the group throughout the 1970's and 80's. Viewed as one of the most distinctive bassists of his generation, he is credited for redefining the potential of the instrument. Tacuma debuted as a bandleader, composer, and arranger in 1983 with the album Showstopper, going on to develop compositions that blend Prime Time's elaborate harmonies with engaging melodies. His 1988 album Jukebox was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989; in 2011 his ongoing achievements were recognized by the award of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts.

Valuing adaptability, adventure, and dynamism, Tacuma's ever-shifting aesthetic is evident in his wide range of projects and collaborators over the years, from fronting the funk trio Cosmetic to co-leading ensembles with US and European colleagues such as Vernon Reid and Derek Bailey, as well as recording with James Blood Ulmer, Nona Hendryx, Mark Ribot, and many, many others.

Since 2015, Tacuma has been producing the annual Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival in his hometown of Philadelphia, providing a platform for renowned as well as up-and-coming local artists. He is a recipient of the 2018 Benny Golson Award from the City of Philadelphia.

Jamaladeen Tacuma's "Brotherzone" concept is a musical territory, in other words a brotherly interzone. With his free funk approach, his tight and deep attack, his highly syncopated playing, the bass wizard gives a "groove" (or rather a "swing") to music that takes it way beyond. Together with Daryl Burgee, a creative and multi-talented drummer, and Ronny Drayton on guitar, he lays the foundation of an exemplary rock/funk power trio. Wadud Ahmad, fourth member of this musical brotherhood, is a poet acclaimed by Sonia Sanchez as well as The Roots (listen to their "Raising Down" opus). His socially conscious spoken word does perfectly fit the trio's open-mindedness that will take us to a world where rock, free, funk and hip-hop happily coexist with a very special guest Abiodun Oyewole founding memeber of The Last Poets will take this over the top with his blistering politically charged raps leaving the audience with something to think about and ready to resist.

“To experience Freedom, Justice and Equality is the divine right of every human being on the planet earth. That right has no color bounds and the pursuit of those qualities is an action that requires no excuse . Freedom in music is a human experience that transcends all boundaries and is a natural action of resistance.

My art through music has been an ongoing task to outwardly bring positive and uplifting audio experiences to the masses. My personal goal of striving to attain moral excellence has allowed me to see clearly through negative responses and behaviors. The existing state of inequality, and all of the negative social injustices that are being implemented in this world makes it possible for me through my art to shout out, bring to the forefront the ongoing struggle in hopes to make what is wrong right." - Jamaaladeen Tacuma

The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival 2017 - April 30, 2017 Philly Celebrates Jazz and International Jazz Day with renowned bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma and friends at the Philadelphia International House Ibrahim Theater

Philadelphia, PA – Internationally renowned bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma is pleased to present The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival for the third year in a row, a celebration of creative, progressive improvised music. The concert takes place on International Jazz Day, Saturday, April 30, 2017 from 7pm — 11pm at The International House, 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA . Admission is $25 for Adults and $15 for students with I.D. Organic Soul Food Catering by Abu The Juiceman.

The 2016 Festival brought together people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities for an evening celebrating Philadelphia's rich musical tapestry—the event was sold out with a waiting list to get in. Whereas last year’s theme was the programming together of “old heads” with the up-and-coming young firebrands of the Philly scene, this year the emphasis is on new connections overall. Audiences will be treated to sets performed by stellar musicians in exciting new combinations curated by Jamaaladeen Tacuma. Tacuma brings his insight and long history as an internationally touring creative composer and improviser to bear on assembling these premiere configurations.

Tacuma notes that in recent years, Jazz festivals around the world are becoming increasingly conservative. Festivals now demand artists whose ensembles and compositions have a proven track record of positive reviews, resulting in commercialized and diluted programming that becomes ubiquitous and overly familiar. The 2017 Outsiders Festival aims to bring back the adventurous and experimental spirit that was once more encouraged.

Exciting News: My new recording of the wonderful collaboration with myself and the Gnawa musicians of Morocco is finally completed and now ready for the release this weekend. It is entitled "The Gnawa Soul Experience" I am thrilled to be able to make this recording available to the world audience. It will available for the first time March 19th Sunday in Brooklyn at Pioneer Works as I am thrilled to be performing at Gnaoua et Jazz curated by Will Calhoun as part of the 20th anniversary of Festival Gnaoua et Musiques Du monde. This recording marks a milestone in my musical career carrying on the idea of bridging the musical gap culturally and preserving and celebrating Gnawa music and it's rich repertoire of ancient African song rhythm and dance.

This recording is the result of International music artist, producer, composer and electric bass guitarist Jamaaladeen Tacuma's collaboration with Morocco's up and coming Gnawa group Binat Gania. Guest artist includes Gnawa musician Samir Langus on sintir and vocals, DJ King Britt on soundscapes, guitarist Herve Samb and Rick Iannacone, Wolfgang Pushing on Hojak, Ahmad Compaore on drums, Yoichi Uzeki on organ and Bob Wisdom on vocals. This combination of ancient African Gnawa traditional instrumentation and musical themes along with Jamaaladeen's sense of production in funk and groove mashes together a completely new sound fresh to the global listening audience. The music is powerful with emotion and intensity and for sure will bring the listening to their dancing feet. The recording is scheduled to be released at the end of March 2017. Take a listen you will agree that this is the new sound wave of the future. Produced by Jamaaladeen Tacuma for JAM ALL PRODUCTIONS 2017Cover design by Sound Evidence

Alhamdulillah (all the praise is for Allah) Special thanks to Hicham El Kebbaj, Neila Tazi, Karim Ziad, Fouad Wardi, and everyone at Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde 19th edition for the invitation to come to Essaouira providing me with a wonderful foundation, spirit and introduction to the music of Gnaoua and its ancient African legacy. Sincere thank you to Maalem Hassan Boussou who guided me through in learning the ancient rhythms of Gnaoua for our Performance on stage together for which I will forever be grateful. Thanks to Family Gania for being gracious and working with me on this historical recording, bringing the true essence of the Gnawa sound. This is truly a milestone in my music career and I thank you family Gania. Thanks to Herve Samba, Yoichi Uzeki , Wolfgang Puschnig, Ahmad Compaore, Rick Iannacone, King Britt, Samir Langus and Bob Wisdom for helping shape this recording to bridge the cultures together. To Moshe Black and Paul Urbanek for their professional ears, and a very special thank you to Ali El Couhen my number one fan from Morocco . Thanks everyone at Restaurant (Resto) Salma for providing the inspiring atmosphere to embark on this production."-

Jamaaladeen is honored to be traveling to Bologna Italy this week to begin a week long artist residency at the Studio of Marco Visconti-Prasaca and Betty Zanelli , there will be a special concert event held Saturday January 28 2017 at Gallery Enrico Astunivia JACOPO BAROZZI 3, Bologna . This international artist exchange is coming at very important time in our world history, political forces are pushing in a direction of isolationism and exclusion. Artists worldwide must come together and share their creative ideas and energy to bring peace and beauty to the world.

Smashy (Coolness Is Forever) is the name that Jamaaladeen Tacuma wanted to give to his partnership with Marco Visconti-Prasca. A musical relationship began in 2012, reflecting the diversity of experiences of musicians who are involved. Never as in this case the 'group' name is a program. Both Jamaaladeen Tacuma Greg Burk, Tony Arco or Marco Visconti Prasca have addressed the most diverse repertoires but always with that attitude of self-ironic and detached control that is synthesized from the word 'cool'. Whether addressing songs written from Tacuma musical mentor, the immense Ornette Coleman, whether it should launch improvisations that refer to 'free-funk' or recreate songs of John Coltrane, the one that marks the collaboration between Tacuma and Marco V.P. It is the attitude, the 'coolness', anyway. 'Coolness' shared by their fellow adventurers.

Marco Visconti-Prasca (Milan 1957), saxophonist and composer, is an Italian musician who is dedicated both to contemporary music to jazz. Among the interpreters of his work compositional: Rohan de Saram, Roger Marsh, Michael Finnissy, Anna Maria Morini, the Brave New Works Ensemble, John McDonald, Barry Webb, Damien Harron, Lee Konitz and David Liebman. Other collaborations have been with George Russell, Gerry Mulligan, Markus Stockhausen and George Lewis. Currently he creates musical projects with Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Marco Colonna, with the poets Federico Sanguineti and Nanni Balestrini, as well as with visual artist Betty Zanelli he works at I.M.K. Berlin. From 1997 to 2003 he worked with the Civic Jazz Courses teaching theory / ear training and as a guest conductor of the Civic Jazz Band of Enrico Intra.

Betty Zanelli is an artist working with photography, digital painting and installation. Following her first solo show at P.S. 122 Gallery in New York and at Studio Mascarella in Bologna, Betty Zanelli moved to New York City where she lived for several years. In New York she worked in a variety of media and genres, including painting, photography and installation art, often incorporating found objects such as violin cases, violins, music sheets, worn-out fabrics, and objects associated with popular and religious culture. Between 1991 and 1995 Zanelli participated in the P.S. 122 Project Studio Space Program, winning the art residency for two years; she showed in LA and in New York at the Snug Harbor Museum. Zanelli participated in many more one-person and group exhibitions in Italy and abroad: in New York, NY (Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Snug Harbor Museum, P.S.122 Gallery, MMC Gallery, Marymount College, New York, NY, Knitting Factory, ); Los Angeles (Otis/Parsons Gallery); Berlin (Büro für Bestimmte Dinge, Institut für Alles Mögliche, Galerie + Edition Caoc); London (Art Work Space); Rome and Bologna (eLaSTiCo, Spazio Lavì, L'Ariete Arte Contemporanea, Arco di Rab, Il Graffio, Il Campo delle Fragole, Studio Mascarella, H2O Art Space,Natural-Camera, Due Punti Lab, Goethe Zentrum - Istituto di cultura Germanica). Since the year 2000, Betty Zanelli has focused on the use of photography and digital printing in her work, media she uses to investigate popular iconography and pop culture. She continues traveling to further her own research on Luna Parks, places for entertainment, amusement parks, roundabouts, rides and attractions for children, as for the recent research on the Berlin Spreepark , the former DDR Kulturpark. In the past four years, Betty Zanelli traveled in particular to Berlin where, in September 2014 and in September 2015, she held an art residency at the Institut für Alles Mögliche. Back to Europe, Zanelli has settled back in Bologna, Italy, where she was born.

A graduate from the Academy of Fine Arts - where she studied drawing, painting and photography - Betty Zanelli is currently holding a professorship at that Institution.

Incredible week in May 2016 for Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde Essaouira, Morocco. . Alhamdulilah (all praise is for God). I had A wonderful concert with great Maalem Hassan Boussou a monumental collaboration in career. . He is truly a treasure and I was indeed blessed to share the stage with. The music of the Gnaoua is so so powerful and the massive audience that attended loved it, and I loved them. The staff of the festival was the most gracious and professional. I was joined by King Britt on Electronics, Wolfgang Puschnig on Sax, flute and hojak, and Ahmad Compaoré on drums and a surprise special guest Bob Wisdom. I am grateful to them all for their creative contributions and brotherhood. We all had a wonderful time. Anyone who enjoys arts , culture and music needs to visit Essaouira for this festival, you will have a beautiful time. Photos by Sound Evidence. #gnaoualive,

Celebrate Philly Jazz and International Jazz Day with renowned bassist, composer, producer Jamaaladeen Tacuma and friends at the Clef Club

Philadelphia, PA – Internationally renowned bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma is pleased to present The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival for the second year in a row, a celebration of creative, progressive improvised music. The concert takes place on International Jazz Day, Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 7pm - 1 am at the Philadelphia Clef Club, 736-8 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146.Admission is payable at the door in cash only, $25 for adults and $15 for students with I.D.

The 2015 Festival brought together people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities for an evening celebrating Philadelphia's rich musical legacy—the event was sold out with a waiting list to get in. This year the festival was chosen to be the closing event of Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month: Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month is a project of the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of American History. This year, Festival founder Jamaaladeen Tacuma’s curatorial focus is on cross-generational musical exchange. Tacuma has identified fiery young artists to pair with seasoned figures of Philadelphia improvised creative music.